Rapper Lil B banned from Facebook for 30 days over 'hate speech'
American rapper Lil B has been temporarily banned from Facebook after the social network ruled he violated its hate speech policies.
The 28-year-old received a 30-day ban from the social media platform after a post about white people and gun violence.
He wrote in one post: “White people are the only ones who really love they guns U can tell they are violent people! I don’t live in fear, I don’t need a gun [sic].”
Another post said: “White people so scared they the reason why guns are a problem if white people put down the gunze we all be safe but nope! They vilent.”
Speaking to Motherboard, Lil B denied spreading hate on the social network, claiming he wanted to spark a discussion.
“As I have lectured at some of the best institutions around the USA, I felt that I was only starting a blunt but positive discussion with no hate intended,” he responded.
“I respect Facebook for its policies and staff and would love to work together in the future on ways to combat hate as well as praise free speech and protect all people …”
Facebook defines hate speech as “content that attacks people based on their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or disease”.
They add: “We do, however, allow clear attempts at humor or satire that might otherwise be considered a possible threat or attack. This includes content that many people may find to be in bad taste.”
A Facebook spokesperson told Motherboard its hate speech policies “apply equally to all races” and are “race-neutral”.
